NYFW: CND Continues to rock Christian Siriano, Monique Lhuillier, Rachel Antonoff and Tara Subkoff

Yesterday’s runway delivered femme pastels and confectionery-toned delight at Christian Siriano‘s Degas ballerina-inspired fashion show. Nails by CND’s Angi Wingle glimmered with pink thanks to CND Grapefruit Sparkle, a shade from CND’s brand new polish line coming out in Spring 2013. Paired with topknots and luminescent cheekbones, this beauty look was truly en pointe.

At Rachel Antonoff, CND’s Candice Manacchio showed why girls just want to have hedge fun at the country club! Three different nail styles paid tribute to the show’s garden party theme: 1) The “Aerial Nail” portrayed a bird’s eye view of Versailles 2) The “Garden Nail” captured the maze-like quality of the winding hedges in the presentation and 3) Clear tips layered with white and tagged with blue & red Sharpies memorialized the friends and family dearest to the designer.

At Monique Lhuillier, nails were inspired by reflective aquatic movement. CND’s Candice Manacchio created an illuminated, underwater manicure and pedicure using CND Lavender Pearl Effect mixed with a few drops of brand new CND polish in Lilac Longing (out in Spring 2013). With turquoise and gold eyeshadow, models looked marine marvelous!

At IMITATION by Tara Subkoff, CND’s Kristina Estabrooks fashioned a “Blown Glass” manicure with swirled and marbleized CND Copper Pearl Effect and CND Colour in Putty. Just as no marbleized nail is alike, the women of this show represented all ages and body types in a reflection on modern day society and female diversity

It’s times like these when…you just gotta love Beauty!!

Christian Siriano once-in-a-lifetime event with Send the Trend and YOU

Now through March 28^th, Send the Trend, the all-accessories e-commerce site founded by fashion designer Christian Siriano, Mariah Chase and Divya Gugnani, is hosting a sweepstakes where participants can enter to win a personal style profile & Send the Trend shopping session with designer and Project Runway winner, Christian Siriano.  This would be a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to have Christian not only help you with a fab wardrobe for After your wedding….perhaps he could offer some bridal tips too.

Send the Trend offers fashion jewelry, sunglasses, scarves and more all for just $29.95 per item, including free shipping.

For more information and to enter in the sweepstakes, please visit http://www.facebook.com/SendTheTrend

Christian Siriano Fall 2011 collection goes dark and grows up

Things I loved…well a lot of the pieces.  From the wide-legged pants and very tailored yet feminine jackets and skirts to the sexy and beautifully girly evening gowns they were all Christian Siriano.  The contrast with his shoes and military to gladiator-styled boots (which are as high as ever and even caused at least 1.5 wipe-outs by models) created a sense of battling good vs. evil, light vs. dark, light vs. heavy.

Let’s be clear the collection included cashmere, leather, silk organza, wool crêpe knits, all fabrics that are pleasing to the eye and touch. The blends of textures, the multitude of individual pieces of fabric to create the petals, the shawl collar and tulip skirt remind us of Siriano of seasons past. Yet, this is truly a collection for a woman who is secure in whom she is, what she wants and is completely comfortable wearing the unexpected.

There is a very purposeful change from his previous collections.  One can tell that Christian is branching out, trying to break free from what we expect. Perhaps this was the ‘anti-project runway’ collection and more the true him. Let’s face it, this is his sixth collection and no matter what, he IS treated differently from other designers.  My own opinion, of all the ‘reality-stars’, Christian Siriano is working to refine and develop himself to become the best he can be. In other words, this collection, inspired by the moody, dramatic orchid is allowing this designer to bloom.

Yes, this was a grown-up fashion show with lots to like.  If you were expecting to see the same-old-thing, you may have walked out disappointed and some did.

Sales, trunk shows and events for the end of Jan 2011

Every bride (and groom) loves chocolate! Recent research shows that consuming moderate amounts of dark chocolate can be a healthy addition to your diet so you can still fit into your beloved wedding attire.

Chocolate aficionados Jacque Torres and William Dean will be on HSN just in time for Valentines Day! Jacque Torres, known as “Mr. Chocolate”, will be serving up bon bons and much more tonight January 24^th. The decorative chocolates of William Dean launches in a wide range of flavors such as lavender, key lime, and crème brulee on February 1^st.  Yummy!!

This year, treat your special someone to something special!  Sophia’s Closet, a premier on-line lingerie retailer that makes women feel confident, beautiful and sexy in what they put on, not what they take off, has new and beautiful pieces and styles that flatter every body type from lovely lace gowns to sheer enticement robes. To help you get ready for Valentine’s Day, Sophia’s Closet is offering a site-wide 15% discount on all items. Promo Code KMR15

Send the Trend, known as the “eHarmony of Accessories” was founded by Christian Siriano, Mariah Chase and Divya Divya Gugnani and is an all-accessories e-commerce site with all products retailing for just $29.95, including free shipping.  This site is they gives you the control to choose what you want, when you want it, ultimately making the discovery process painless. As a first time user, you’ll take a short style survey that helps create tailored product options for you each month. After your first purchase, you’ll review new, personalized product recommendations the first of every month.  What could be better? The ability to take part in Q&A’s with industry tastemakers, as well as accessory style tips, celebrity style types.  Don’t be surprised if you get a reply from Christian himself.

I love Vanessa Noel and she has personally selected the styles for her February Shoe & Cashmere Sale. Fabulous winter boots, evening, resort and flats are reduced as much as 50 – 70% off with a small selection reduced as much as 85%. Her extensive bridal shoe collection will be on a special 25% sale during this period. Vanessa’s fabulous hand-woven cashmere scarves that were originally $525, will also be available in a variety of sumptuous colors for $185.  Sale begins February 1-7.  Don’t wait, because I was there last week and they had amazing bridal shoes for $50.00.

Vanessa Noel, 158 East 64th St., nr. Lexington Ave. (212)906-0055